Most people tend to associate Dilip Kumar only with sombre, melancholy roles: whether it’s Devdas or Aadmi, Andaaz or Deedaar, Dilip Kumar seems to have been the obvious choice to play the tormented protagonist (hardly a hero in some roles). While his acting as the drunk, or the self-pitying cripple, or the doomed lover—or, actually, just about any other character—was faultless, Dilip Kumar was also splendid as the debonair and dashing hero. Or the clown. Or the flawed, but still attractive lover…

Therefore, to celebrate a landmark birthday: ten of my favourite Dilip Kumar songs, from films that I’ve seen. To make life a little easier for myself, I’ve restricted myself to just the solos (or, in some cases, solos with a chorus) that were picturised on Dilip Kumar.

1. Madhuban mein Radhika naache re (Kohinoor, 1960): The songs in this list aren’t in any particular order—except for this one. Madhuban mein Radhika naache re is my absolute favourite Dilip Kumar song (it also happens to be one of my favourite Mohammad Rafi songs). Kumkum’s dancing is superb, the music is fabulous—and Dilip Kumar provides a fine example of what an actor lip-synching to a song can do.
Not only is he a very believable ‘singer’, he also plays the sitar—he apparently insisted on taking some weeks to learn how to play it, so that it would look authentic onscreen. Now that’s what I call dedication.

2. Aaj ki raat mere dil ki salaami le le (Ram aur Shyam, 1967): From the superhit film that was to spawn Seeta aur Geeta and other films about identical twins who are separated as infants, and accidentally change places as adults—a superhit song. I had a tough time choosing this one, because I also like Aayi hain bahaarein, mite zulm-o-sitam, a cheery song if ever there was one. But this melodious and sad paean to an about-to-be-lost love is just that notch higher, because of its focus on varying emotions.

3. O door ke musaafir humko bhi saath le le (Udan Khatola, 1955): Another song of a soon-to-be-lost beloved, but so much sadder than Aaj ki raat mere dil ke salaami le le. Because here, it’s not as if the sweetheart is on the brink of marrying another; it is far more hopeless—because she is being sacrificed, literally being sent to her death. The lyrics—“Chaaron taraf lage hain barbaadiyon ke mele re”—are touching, but the desperate pleading in Dilip Kumar’s face says it all, really.

4. Nain lad jayee hain toh mannwa maan (Ganga Jamuna, 1961): For a change, a cheerful, flirtatiously rural song—and Dilip Kumar shows he can shake a leg with the best of them. He prances about, matches steps with the ‘village girls’, and outright declares his love for the beautiful girl who’s standing by, watching shyly. This one ranks right up there with Yeh desh hai veer jawaanon ka as one of Dilip Kumar’s best folksy songs.

5. Dil mein chhupaake pyaar ka (Aan, 1951): Most of us who love old Hindi films would associate this situation—using a disguise to kidnap a young lady (a princess, no less!) in her own vehicle—with someone like Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor, or Joy Mukherjee. But Dilip Kumar did it well before them, in this delightful ghoda-gaadi song.
And how very handsome he looks, too: completely irresistible.

6. Yeh mera deewaanapan hai (Yahudi, 1958): Another romantic song, but an angst-ridden one, which teeters on the edge of despair. Dilip Kumar, as the high-born Roman in love with a Jewish girl, waits for her with rapidly diminishing hope. She will not come, he thinks. And someday, in these ruins, he too will suffocate and die of despair. Then, no matter how much she calls, he will not come. An emotional and touching song, and beautifully sung by Mukesh.

7. Toote hue khwaabon ne (Madhumati, 1958): I was caught between two Dilip Kumar songs from Madhumati: Suhaana safar aur yeh mausam haseen, and this one. While Suhaana safar is a very pleasant song (and that echo effect is wonderful!), Toote hue khwaabon ne wins simply because of its depth of feeling: the sense of utter loss that is echoed in Dilip Kumar’s face—without being hammy or quivery-lipped. A good example of restraint.

8. Aaj puraani raahon se (Aadmi, 1968): While I’m not particularly fond of either Aadmi or Dilip Kumar’s role in it (his character is a rather unlikeable sort), this song is a favourite of mine. Somewhat bitter, cynical, lonely—and yet, in sight of the light at the end of the tunnel. A man who’s been through the troughs, caused by his own selfishness—and has come out of it a better man.

9. Koi nahin mera is duniya mein (Daag, 1952): Another film with lovely songs (Ae mere dil kahin aur chal, in its varied versions, is another wonderful song). This one, speaking of loneliness and distress, is similar in tone to the three previous songs: bogged down by tragedy, deserted by those he loves, the hero sings to himself. And it’s another example of how Dilip Kumar managed to lip-synch to such unhappy songs without appearing overly melodramatic.

10. Bachpan ke din bhulaa na dena (Deedar, 1951): The joyful children’s version (with Tabassum and Parikshit Sahni) of this song is the better-known one, but the one important reason to like the Dilip Kumar version is that he is in it. It’s a short song, but the expressions that pass over his face as he sings are wonderful: the fleeting glimpse of joy from a long-ago memory; the sudden sorrow of realising that the rosy future he had hoped for has gone; the growing distress.

106 thoughts on “Ten of my favourite Dilip Kumar songs”

Dilip was a great actor and lucky to have worked in an era when some of our BEST films were being made. These films had songs that were the best of all times too. Hence, it is hard to DISLIKE any Dilip song.

I especially love the Talat/ Dilip combo and feel cheated if any good Talat song was not used on Dilip. :)

True. I can’t think of any Dilip Kumar song that I actively dislike. He did have a lot of wonderful songs picturised on him – both solos as well as duets.

I am pretty neutral as regards the playback singer for Dilip Kumar: while Talat sang some of his best songs, I think so did Mukesh, Rafi – even Chitalkar Ramachandra, in this frothy song from Azaad, Kitna haseen hai mausam:

DO, I was totally in the Talat-Dilip zone yesterday when I read your post. But you are right, all these singers’ voice suited Dilip. Or rather, he was such a good actor that he had no problem in adapting to various playback singers.

Yes, a lot of the credit must go to Dilip Kumar – he was able to adapt himself very easily to different singers. (Though, to be fair, in Kitna haseen hai mausam, Chitalkar is making a definite attempt to copy Talat).

He is copying Talat for if memory serves me right Talat Mehmood was supposed to sing this song but was unable to spare the dates or something like that so C.R.Ramchandra did the next best thing he imitated Talat Mehmood.

Shaam-e-gham ki kasam would certainly have been on my list, if only I’d been able to watch Footpath entirely! I’d borrowed the VCD from my father, and it packed up midway through. I didn’t even get to watch the song in the movie. :-(

And, although I have watched neither Dil Diya Dard Liya nor Taraana, I love both the songs you’ve listed from them!

From your list, I haven’t seen Udan Khatola or Deedar (have been meaning to but haven’t got around to seeing them). And I remember seeing Daag and Yahudi when I was in high school – I don’t remember a thing about them now.

I’ve somehow steered clear of Gopi all these years, but Sukh ke sab saathi dukh mein na koi is a lovely song. Very true words.

Both Udan Khatola and Deedar are films I saw when I was in my early teens, so I only remember the bare rudiments of the plot. Udan Khatola is a raja-rani type of film, though with more than its fair share of intrigue – and hapless victim – thrown in. Deedar is really something I wouldn’t recommend, unless you’re in the mood for lots of depression. ;-)

Aah, Madhu. What a lovely, lovely post and with some of my favourites too. Does it surprise you that where you had two favourites from a film, the song you picked would have been my choice too? :) (Not to mention that I would have dithered between the same two songs?)

No, it doesn’t surprise me at all, Anu! Our likes and dislikes often (not always, thank goodness) are too similar, no? Yeh hawa yeh raat yeh chaandni and Shaam-e-gham ki kasam are two of my favourite Dilip Kumar songs too, but since I’ve seen neither film (though I have Sangdil lying on my desk, waiting to be watched)… I couldn’t include either of them.

:) I guess I wouldn’t either, but it is unfortunate isn’t it, that a handsome face can get away with things that others less fortunate cannot? For what it’s worth, just having him (as he looked in Aan/Madhumati/Kohinoor/Azaad/, etc., Be still, dear heart) singing of his love for you is enough to forgive him for his highhandedness. Sigh. What does that say about us women?

All it says is that he is a good actor! Seriously, though, I admire Pran’s good looks in those movies even when he is being a dastardly villain, so admiring Dilip Kumar even in the movies where he is highhanded towards women speaks of our good taste in looks!

By the way, I watched Andaaz recently, and once I finished it, I webcammed my friend and I was BAWLING. She asked me what was wrong, and I narrated the whole plot to her. And then she asked, “So who are you crying over? The girl, right?” I replied, “NO. I’m crying over Dilip Kumar.” She stared at me and asked again, “So you’re crying over the guy who’s dead and not over the girl who has to spend the rest of her life in jail?!” I nodded, and she sighed and told me, You’re such a girl.

I’m replying after having read through bombaynoir’s, pacifist’s, and Lalitha’s comments, all I can say is: yes, I agree wholeheartedly: he’s too handsome to strangle! :-) Yes, he is being high-handed and whatever, but I’ll gladly forgive him for that. Especially in Aan (or all the other films you’ve listed, Anu). Sigh. I don’t blame Nadira’s character for being putty in his hands even when she’s trying so hard not to yield.

Yay, Dilip Kumar! Okay, I must admit that I started off not liking him so much, but lately, I think he’s pretty good. He’s handsome, first of all. and I really do have to see some of his films. Besides Mughal-E-Azam. What do you recommend?

Thank you DO! So happy you posted this. :-)
And of course the songs you have listed are all great and among my favourites too. Like you, I absolutely love ‘Madhuban mein Radhika’. It’s perfect.
The Ganga Jamuna song too. I’ll have to go on saying …too, ….too, so I’d better say something different.

What about listing a song not on your list, which I adore. Based on a classic tune, the sitar piece at the beginning and also in the song are soul stirring.
This song from Dil Diya Dard Liya.

Yes, I have DO :-) I think all their films together in that period had them sizzling together, though I must say in Mughal e Azam one wouldn’t have guessed they weren’t even on speaking terms with each other.

I had no idea Dil Diya Dard Liya was based on Wuthering Heights! I find that book terribly depressing, but I do like one particular British TV adaptation of it. I can imagine Hindi cinema doing a not too faithful version… must look out for this, thank you for the recommendation!

And Aan. Mmm. The women are mostly silly and theatrical, but I can watch the film over and over again, simply for Dilip Kumar.

I can understand that no adaptation of Wuthering Heights could ever be a joyous one. I remember, the first time I read the book, I kept waiting for Heathcliff to redeem himself (or for Catherine to redeem herself!), but no… two completely unlikeable protagonists.

Dilip Kumar’s is one of the most (the most, even?) expressive faces I’ve seen among Hindi film actors. For instance, in that short instant in Bachpan ke din bhulaa na dena, even before he starts singing, you can see just what is going through his character’s mind.

I like that song from Dil Diya Dard Liya, pacifist – lovely! Haven’t seen the film, though – and, anyway, this song wouldn’t have qualified for my list, because it’s a duet, not a solo. Which doesn’t detract from its loveliness – somehow, Dilip Kumar also seems to have been a part of some great duets. :-)

Wonderful post, Madhu, and you have chosen all the songs which I love! Yes, I would probably have added the song from Andaz, Hum aaj kahin dil kho baithe … to this list, just for the happiness on his face and the glow of his love!

Even though you had a tough competition between two other songs in Madhumati, I like “Dil tarap tarap ke” the most in the film. I would go so far to say that it is the only song in the film whose beat and Dilip Kumar’s acting goes with theme. Note: Dilip Kumar had not yet mastered ‘method acting’ in 1958. Also I’d like to add Madhumati has a special meaning to me because it is the only Bollywood film, the great genius, Ritwik Ghatak ever associated with.

Madhu, very nice list, and as you might know, I most love those songs from Kohinoor and Uran Khatola.

Thank you, by the way, for reminding me (earlier, on Facebook) that it was Dilip Kumar’s birthday. When I started to think about that, I thought about some favorite Dilip Kumar songs that were duets. Then I saw that you made your 10 best list here and deliberately limited it to solos. So, I saw that as a perfect opening to do something I was thinking about anyway:

I love Aag Lagi Hamri Jhupariya Mein from Sagina. Folk songs were not really Kishore Kumar’s forte but he has sung this very well, Majrooh’s lyrics are great, and Dilip Kumar is wonderful. He’s obviously enjoying himself

Great post, at the right time too. All songs in the post and the comments are excellent. I would only like to add the songs of Mela and Babul. My top favourites being ‘Dharti ko akash pukare’ and ‘Milte hi aankhen dil hua.’ I have a vague memory of ‘Dharti ko akash pukar’ being a longer song than what youtube offers. I recall a stanza in Mukesh’s voice from a movie I had seen on Naushad’s music decades back. Is my memory deceiving me, or is there a longer version somewhere?

‘Nain lad jaihen’ is an all time favourite of mine in the folk genre. Dilip tried something similar with ‘Mere pairon me ghunghroo bandha de to phir meri chaal dekh le’ years later, but I would still rate the earlier song much higher.

Loved reading all the comments here – the love for Dilip Kumar is very evident.

Just remembered another Dilip movie – Dastaan (1972). I remember this movie being released. It was quite eagerly awaited – seeing as it was BR Chopra with Dilip Kumar, not to mention a Dilip-Sharmila pairing. So, a somewhat new combo.

The movie didn’t do well at the box-office, as far as I can remember. There was one famous song though – Na tu zameen ke liye (one of Rafi saab’s hits during that period dominated by Kishore).

The movie is a remake of Afsana (the Ashok Kumar-Veena film). I haven’t seen Afsana but I remember Greta mentioning once that she preferred Afsana to Dastaan. Be that as it may, I didn’t mind Dastaan at all.

Btw, I just want to say that imdb has got Gopi tagged as 1973. That’s misleading – it acknowledges that this is the “Turkey release”. Elsewhere one can see it as a 1970 release – and it definitely feels more like a late-60s typical movie than a 70s film.

Like I said earlier, it’s an ok film. So maybe also a one-time watch. Just temper your expectations though. :-)

Fab composition of songs for one of the greatest actors in the world & my beautiful mum’s all time favourite-Dilip Kumar….they just don’t make them like that anymore!!!!! Happy Birthday Legend of Legends xx

I have mentioned somewhere I like Dilip Saab’s b/w songs more than the color ones , this list actually contains my favourite color songs of him. ‘Aaj purani raahon mein’ specially.
Some other songs, solos.
from Shaheed

Chris, I really love Watan ki raah mein watan ke naujawan – one of my absolute favourites, and it would have unquestionably been on this list if I’d watched Shaheed! Thank you for including that – I’m listening to it all over again. :-)

My most favorite song of Dilip Kumar will always be:-
“Koie Pyar Ki Dekhey Jadugaree…..” sung by Lata & Rafi in the Movie Kohinoor.
In this particular song they seem to be very much in love, very happy, laughing and the scenery, everything is just Wow!
It is very rare that we can see them like this.

Most Dilip songs I know have already been added, but I finally found two from BWood’s first major triangle —

Dilip was never one of my favorites, and I used to think of him as an overrated actor. This gradually changed after I saw Shakti (I kinow Anu is going to shoot me for this), I think he was much better than Amitabh. I used to be a die-hard AB fan in the early 80’s, but I still remember watching Shakti in a theatre and reluctantly agreeing with the general consesus in AB’s home territory Bombay — “Yeh Amiitabh Ka Baap Nikla”.

I became a fan of Dev during his solid run in the early 70’s, and also getting the “evergreen” title. A lot has been written about “evergreen” 70’s Dev and how he was the only one from the 50’s to have survived the Rajesh-Dharam-Amitabh era. I also remember as to how Dilip had been eclipsed in the 70’s, with duds like Gopi, Sagina, Dastaan etc. However, the early 80’s saw Dilip making a comeback; and looking back I have to say that he was one lasting memory of those times. His performances in Shakti & Vidhataa, both BWood masala movies, were probably the best of that era. Two of my favorite HWod male performances are Marlon Brando in “The Godfather” & Daniel Day Lewis in “There Will Be Blood”; and one of the only actors who I think can stand upto them in a BWood context is Dilip Kumar (Incidentally, the other is Kamalhasan).

Thank you, Samir – and you know, what a coincidence – but just a little while back, I was thinking of the very intense but controlled acting of Dilip Kumar in some of his roles, and the Hollywood actor that automatically came to mind was Marlon Brando. One of my favourite examples of Brando’s acting (and in an unusual scene, for Brando) is this song from Guys and Dolls. He literally acts the lyrics in a way that makes me melt. :-)

Dilip Kumar’s films where he had had (so called) कांटेकी टक्कर with a next-in-line) male co-artist – with Raaj Kumar – Paigam and Saudagar, Sanjeev Kumar -Sungursh, Raj Kapoor – Andaz or his deliberately chosen light-roles films certainly brought out (obviously) not-much-seen theatrical qualities and do have remained milestones of his “treagedy-king” crowned career.

It may be a trifle too difficult to list out ten really (as good as his pathos songs) light solos, but for that obviously he can not be held responsible. It is for the director to create such a situation and then music director to pick up the challenge.

But great he was ( or is) and as Amitabh Bachchan always comments when a comparision comes up, Hindi Film history will alays be talked in two periods – Before-Dilip Kumar and After-Dilip Kumar.

Very well put! I like the point you make about his really good light-hearted songs perhaps being not as memorable as his more poignant ones. Despite the fact that there are some joyful songs in my list, and in the comments people have posted, somehow the majority of them can’t match the more heartrending songs.

Incidentally, just the other day, I was reading that Aan was a huge flop in India, but did extremely well overseas – especially in the UK, where it ran for 12 consecutive weeks at a cinema in London. It was even dubbed in Japanese, later.

Finally went through this post and the comments and I realised that I am sort of the outsider here. I do not fit in for I am absolutely no fan of Dilip Kumar. I do however like to listen to the songs listed above by you and the others. Fan or no fan here is a Dilip Kumar – Rafi song from Shaheed

Congratulations Madhu on the acocmplished task of listing 10 fav Dilip Kumar songs! Must have been a hard, though pleasant one.

I was sure Madhuban me radhika would find a place here! Love his attire in that song! What is it called?

aaj ki raat meri dil ki salaami le le is a nice one and I neverknew that it is from Ram aur Shyam! *shaking his head*

Though I love how Rafi renders o door ke musafir, I wish he had toned down the le le ham reh gaye akele. Teh drawl makes it pretty unattractive for me, but many people love the song exactly for that!

nain lad jayee hain toh mannwa maan is also oneof my favs. It is such a fun-filled song wih the right amount of froth in it, without sounding put on!

I think I would have chosen maan mera ehsaan rather than dil mein chhupaake pyaar ka. But both are good!

Love, love yeh mera deewaanapan hai! It sounds to be such a haunting, tragic song, though it a serenading one!

I also would have toote hue khwaabon ne over suhaana safar aur yeh mausam haseen. It is so Dilip Kumar-like!

No comments on aaj purani raahon se.

Still prefer ae mere dil kahin aur chal! :-)

As a child I used to think that bachpan ke din bhulana dena means don’t give me upma on my birthday. Why? That is a bit complicated. The word bhula sounds a bit like the word for upma in Konkani. And it sounded very reasonable, upma is for everyday, on birhtday one would expect something special!

Harvey, thank you for that long and detailed comment! :-) And I love your anecdote about bachpan ke din bula na dena. Makes so much sense! (Why is it that children seem to so keen on food? Most of the interesting misunderstandings relating to lyrics that my sister and I recall centre around food) :-D

Wow, I’ve haven’t heard a single one of these songs, or watched any of the films – thanks for giving me plenty to catch up on!

I am quite surprised that no one at all has mentioned Naya Daur or its songs. A search of the page reveals not one mention of the film at all, which comes a shock to me, I love the film and its songs. I would have recommended it to bombaynoir as one of those lighter Dilip Kumar films you were talking about.

Naya Daur may not have been mentioned, Stuart (and I didn’t mention it, because it doesn’t have any Dilip Kumar solos, as far as I can remember), but there’s a reference to a song from it. I’ve mentioned (and linked to) Yeh desh hai veer jawaanon ka in the post.

True, Naya Daur could be listed as one of Dilip Kumar’s lighter roles – not as much fun as Kohinoor or Azaad, but still, at least not downright depressing.

Dilip Kumar was a very stylish actor, but he is called a natural actor, methodical actor. For me he had a very distinct style of his own which he delivered with perfection. He also did not repeat himself much as Dev Anand did. The only natural actors for me were Ashok Kumar and Balraj Sahni. Dilip Kumar was successful in establishing himself as an actor’s actor that ‘s why almost all actors who joined the industry in 60s and till date swear by him be it Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan or others. Recently two actors Irrfan Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in my opinion are matchless but as I have mentioned earlier they do not follow any particular style and do not have the looks of Dilip Kumar. I also consider Naseeruddin Shah a great actor.

DILIP SAHEB KA KYA KEHNA HAI. HE IS THE GREATEST HERO OF ALL TIMES AND TIME TO COME. HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN BESTOWED WITH BHARAT RATNA BUT NOBODY CARES. THE AUTHORITY CARES ONLY FOR THOSE WHO RUNS AFTER THEM. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DILIP SAHEB MAY ALLAH BESTOW YOU LONG LIFE AND SHOWER YOU GOOD HEALTH